$1500 Gaming Build

[Pudder]

Hi there, after three years of using an iMac running windows 7 I've finally decided it's time for an upgrade. I've set my budget at $1500 and have been browsing these forums for the last several days trying to find a build that I'm happy with. From what I've gathered it seems as though there isn't much point in waiting for the new Haswell processors to come out. It also seems as though i5 is the way to go. So I've come up with this build and was wondering if this was a sound build or if there are any changes that need to be made. The computer will just be used for gaming (Total War series, Mount and Blade, Battlefield 4, Skyrim, etc.). I'm in Canada and looking to start ordering parts within the next couple weeks.

I was also wondering if someone could recommend a good 1920x1080 resolution monitor, it won't be factored into the budget. I'm looking for a good monitor but not anything outrageously expensive. If anyone has any suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you in advance!

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-V ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($182.30 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.99 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($118.98 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card ($473.50 @ Vuugo)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 922 ATX Mid Tower Case ($58.88 @ Canada Computers)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $1467.39
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-07 01:28 EDT-0400)

 

[ksham]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($34.98 @ NCIX)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.32 @ NCIX)
Storage: Crucial M4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($118.98 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($144.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1504.19
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)


I stuck with the major vendors: Amazon, Canada Computers, NCIX, Newegg Canada. Major change is the GPU. The GHz version is just clocked higher. It's really not worth the +$80 premium for it. Most stayed the same. I added a monitor to fit within your budget.

 

[manofchalk]

The rig you'v specced out is pretty good, pretty much got right first go. Only a few things I would change.

- You can get a lower end motherboard and still have the same features, something like an AsRock Z77 Extreme4 or Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3h has the same core features of that board at a much lower price. Or if you want to stick with ASUS the P8Z77-V LK, though it has less SATAIII ports than the others.
Only thing you really lose is inbuilt Wifi support, which is an easy upgrade later on if you end up needing it.

- RAM speeds above 1600Mhz arent worth buying, you can save yourself $10 by getting 1600Mhz and you wont see any performance difference.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1600c9b

- The Crucial M4 is a great drive with a long track record for reliability, but its getting a bit old. There are newer, faster drives on the market like the Samsung 840.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7td120bw

- Seagate offers and equivalent drive for less.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003
or a 2TB drive for $5 more.
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st2000dm001

With the monitor, I suggest you read the in-progress monitor guide. It will explain what you need to know when deciding on a monitor, and if your ead a bit further down to ssddx's post, the more in-depth details of a monitor.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1661174/parts-guide-monitors.html

 

[Pudder]

Thank you for your suggestions ksham and manofchalk! I remember hearing a lot of good things about the Samsung SSDs, I'll definitely look at swapping one of those into the build. The monitor guide looks like a great resource, I've started reading through it, thanks for the link!

 

[Emelth]

Only thing I would change besides what the others said is your Case, I would search for a $80-$120 that you like make sure it supports USB 3.0 like the Corsair 500R

 

[ksham]

Thank you for your suggestions ksham and manofchalk! I remember hearing a lot of good things about the Samsung SSDs, I'll definitely look at swapping one of those into the build. The monitor guide looks like a great resource, I've started reading through it, thanks for the link!

Indeed it is. But the Samsung Pro version is a lot better. Unless you're on a tight budget, there's little reason to have to opt for the non-pro version as there are many better ones for a bit more.

 

[Pudder]

Only thing I would change besides what the others said is your Case, I would search for a $80-$120 that you like make sure it supports USB 3.0 like the Corsair 500R

I've taken a look at the Fractal Design case that ksham suggested and it looks good to me. I'm not overly bothered by aesthetics, truth be told. I'll take a look at the Corsair 500r as well and decide which one I like more. Thanks!

Indeed it is. But the Samsung Pro version is a lot better. Unless you're on a tight budget, there's little reason to have to opt for the non-pro version as there are many better ones for a bit more.

I can definitely stretch my budget enough to accomodate the pro version. I did have a question as to whether you would make any significant changes to the build you provided if you weren't to factor in the price of the monitor? I'd be more than willing to allocate the full $1500 to the tower and spend a couple hundred after for the monitor. I should have specified that in the original post.

This is where I'm currently sitting with the suggestions that have been made.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($229.99 @ Amazon Canada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($31.63 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.99 @ NCIX)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.32 @ NCIX)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.00 @ Canada Computers)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($94.99 @ DirectCanada)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card ($409.99 @ NCIX)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.79 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Monitor: Asus VS238H-P 23.0" Monitor ($144.05 @ DirectCanada)
Total: $1524.72
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[ksham]

That looks good. $25 over budget. If that okay with you, go for it.

I would split up the 2TB HDD with 2x 1TB HDD. Reason being that you can then have more flexibility and if one dies, you don't end up losing all your data.

 

[Emelth]

Your not going to be able to CF with a 650W PSU, if you want to add another GPU down the way up PSU to 750W.

If not take it down to 550W, but I cant really find a better CPU for around that price range that I would recommend for your Build. For $1500 builds I like to recommend Tier 2 and above PSUs but it would take you over your budget more. So good build it will make you happy

 

[Emelth]

Dont know where you got that chart from but on the TH Review of the 7970 GHz edition if I recall correctly on an Average system load the 7970 uses more wattage than the 680, if you trust 2 680's in SLI on a 650W PSU. I would feel sorry for your system and pray that it doesnt go up in flames on you after a year or so.

Now when 7970 is idling shines, but also add the wattage of OCing the CPU and GPU and still tell me that you want a 650W PSU and I would laugh and probably cry at the same time in front of you.

 

[manofchalk]

You need a 750W to Crossfire/SLI because more than likely a 650W unit doesnt have enough PCI-E connectors is why.

 

[Emelth]

OP's current setup runs a 461W, he is gonna add another 7970 in there and it will run at 731W. Dont get it twisted we aint trolling it simple facts for those that build. I wouldnt have someone get a PSU that will run at 100% constantly, like you said that PSU runs 786W full load. What kind of common sense do you have if you want a dual GPU setup on 768W. Thats way too damn close to its max and it wont have any headroom at all which in the end is always a bad idea.

No facts? Re-read that post again I cited where came my facts unlike you

 

[manofchalk]

Brand SeaSonic
Model X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3))
PCI-Express Connector 4 x 6+2-Pin
Total output 786w to 100% load.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-Series-KM3-650-W-Power-Supply-Review/1690/11

Amazing, an underrated (wattage wise) PSU from the premium line of the best manufacturer in the industry can Crossfire/SLI.
I hope you get what I'm saying here.

So I will retort with this, a 650W PSU that is fairly good but not top of the line like that Seasonic, that cant support Crossfire/SLI due to a lack of connectors.
Corsair Enthusiast series 650W V2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
2 x 6+2 PCI-E connectors and a total of 648W available on the 12v rail. Its a much more realistic depiction of what a 650W PSU is.

 

[manofchalk]

Cant say I ever have used an adapter like those. Would you?

For instance, that 6 to 8pin adapter, those two extra connectors actually do allow more power to move. With an adapter like that, you might as well just plug the 6-pin straight into into the 8pin connector, all it does is bypass the shape of the connector (designed to prevent exactly that) and overload the grounding wires on the 6-pin line.
Same thing with the Molex to 8pin connector, except in this case its also overloading the positive wire in the molex line.

 

[Emelth]

So what your telling me is that the multiple rails in this build will run at full load and keep up with their 750W version. I'm reading your sites and I dont see it, the more rails the PSU has the more the power it gets reduced in a way. What could I possibly be missing that this PSU could out shine all others so much and still be at a price like that.

EDITED:

Well I'll be damn it runs on a single rail, learn something new everyday